Build Verification Testing (BVT Testing) – A Quick Guide to Ensure Quality Software Releases

Build Verification Testing (BVT) is an important step in software development. It helps ensure that the newest build of the software is stable and functions as expected before moving on to further testing. Often called “smoke testing” or “build acceptance testing,” BVT focuses on checking the essential features of the software quickly. This process helps save time and resources by catching major issues early in the development cycle. By performing BVT, developers can be more confident that their builds are reliable and ready for more in-depth testing.

What Is Build Verification Testing?

Build Verification Testing, or BVT, is a quick set of tests to check if the main features of a new software build are working properly. Think of it as a basic health check for the software. Before moving on to more detailed tests, BVT helps developers catch big problems early. This way, they can fix the issues right away, saving time and effort in the long run. By doing BVT, developers can feel more confident that their software is stable and ready for the next steps in testing.

This is one of the 100+ types of software testing, that is designed to identify defects early in the software development process.

Why Build Verification Testing?

Build Verification Testing is important because it helps catch big problems early in the development process. When you fix these issues right away, it saves a lot of time and effort later. Imagine finding out about a major flaw in the software after weeks of work—it would be very frustrating! BVT ensures the main features are working correctly from the start, so developers can focus on making the software even better. This quick health check gives everyone confidence that the software build is off to a good start and ready for more detailed testing.

Must read: Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing

Principles of BVT Testing

1. Frequency: BVT should be done every time a new build is created. This helps in catching problems early on, so they can be fixed quickly.
2. Speed: The tests in BVT should be quick to run. This means they should not take too long to complete, allowing developers to get results fast.
3. Coverage: Even though BVT is quick, it should still cover the most important features of the software. This ensures that any major issues are detected right away.
4. Automation: Automating BVT makes the process more efficient. Automated tests can run quickly and consistently, reducing the chances of human error.
5. Reliability: The tests used in BVT should be reliable. If a test often gives false positives or negatives, it is not helpful and needs to be improved.

By following these principles, BVT helps in ensuring that each new build of the software is stable and ready for more detailed testing.

The Process of BVT Testing

The process of Build Verification Testing (BVT) is straightforward and follows a few simple steps:

1. Build Creation: First, a new build of the software is created. This is an updated version that includes recent changes or fixes made by the developers.
2. Test Preparation: Next, the automated test scripts for BVT are prepared. These scripts will check if the essential features of the software are working as expected.
3. Test Execution: The prepared tests are then executed on the new build. Because these tests are automated, they run quickly and do not require much manual effort.
4. Result Analysis: After the tests are completed, the results are analyzed. If the tests pass, it means the main functions of the software are working correctly. If any tests fail, developers need to investigate and fix the issues.
5. Reporting: Finally, a report is generated showing the test results. This report helps developers understand the build’s status and decide the next steps.

By following this simple process, BVT helps in ensuring that the new build is stable and ready for further testing and development.

Which Test Cases Should Be Included in BVT

When deciding which test cases to include in Build Verification Testing (BVT), it is important to focus on key areas. The main goal is to quickly check if the new build of the software is ready for more detailed testing. Here are some types of test cases that should be included:

1. Basic Functionality Tests: These tests check if the core functions of the software are working. For example, if it is an email application, these tests would check if you can send and receive emails.
2. User Login Tests: Since logging in is a basic feature for many software applications, it is important to test. Ensure that users can log in and out without issues.
3. Installation and Setup Tests: These tests make sure the software can be installed and set up correctly. If users cannot install the software, they cannot use it.
4. Data Integrity Tests: Tests that check if data is saved, retrieved, and deleted correctly are crucial. Data integrity is important for the reliability of the software.
5. Navigation Tests: These tests ensure that users can move through different parts of the software without problems. Menus, buttons, and links should all work as expected.

By including these types of test cases in BVT, you can quickly identify major issues with the new build and ensure it is stable enough for further testing.

Why Automation Is Essential For Build Verification Testing?

Automation is essential for Build Verification Testing (BVT) because it saves time and reduces errors. When testing is automated, scripts can run tests quickly and consistently, without the need for human intervention. This allows for faster feedback on the stability of the new build, helping developers to identify and fix problems sooner.

Automated tests are also repeatable and reliable. Since the tests are performed by scripts, they will run the same way every time, ensuring consistent results. This reduces the chances of human error, which can happen when tests are done manually.

Moreover, automation allows for a higher coverage of test cases. Automated tools can run multiple tests simultaneously, covering more scenarios in less time. This ensures that more parts of the software are tested, increasing the chances of catching bugs early.

In short, automation makes Build Verification Testing more efficient, reliable, and comprehensive, which helps in delivering a stable and high-quality software product.

Some Benefits of BVT Testing

Build Verification Testing (BVT) offers several benefits that help in the development of reliable software. Here are some key advantages:

1. Early Detection of Bugs: BVT helps in identifying major issues early in the development process. This allows developers to fix problems before they become more difficult and costly to address.
2. Saves Time: By automating BVT, tests can be done quickly and repeatedly. This saves time for developers who would otherwise have to perform these tests manually.
3. Improves Software Quality: Regular BVT ensures that each new build of the software maintains a certain level of quality. This helps in delivering a stable and high-quality product to the users.
4. Reduces Manual Effort: Automated BVT reduces the need for manual testing. This allows testers to focus on more complex and higher-priority tasks.
5. Provides Quick Feedback: Automated BVT provides immediate feedback on the new build’s stability. This helps developers to make timely changes and improvements.

In summary, BVT is an efficient way to ensure that new builds meet quality standards, making the software reliable and robust.

Tips For Selecting Build Verification Tests

Selecting the right tests for Build Verification Testing (BVT) is crucial for ensuring software stability and quality. Here are some tips to help you choose effective BVT tests:

1. Focus on Critical Functionality: Select tests that cover the most critical features of your software. These are the parts of the software that users rely on the most.
2. Include Smoke Tests: These are basic tests that check whether the basic functions of a build are working. Smoke tests are useful for quickly identifying major issues.
3. Automate Where Possible: Automated tests can save a lot of time and effort. They can be run frequently and consistently, offering quick feedback.
4. Keep Tests Short and Simple: BVT tests should be quick to run. Avoid long and complex tests, as they can slow down the development process.
5. Regularly Update Your Tests: As your software evolves, your BVT tests should change too. Make sure to add tests for new features and remove tests that are no longer relevant.
6. Use Data from Past Bugs: Look at bugs that have been found in previous builds. Create tests to check for these issues in future builds.

By following these tips, you can make sure your BVT is efficient and effective, helping you to catch major issues early and deliver high-quality software.

Build Verification Testing Checklist

To ensure your Build Verification Testing (BVT) is thorough and effective, follow this simple checklist:

1. Identify Key Features:

• List all the essential features that users rely on most.
• Make sure to include these in your tests.

2. Prepare Smoke Tests:

• Create basic tests to check if the main functions work.
• Run these tests first to spot any serious problems quickly.

3. Automate Tests:

• Use tools to automate repetitive tests.
• Schedule these tests to run regularly for consistent results.

4. Keep Tests Brief:

• Avoid long and complicated tests.
• Ensure tests are quick so they don’t delay the development process.

5. Update Tests Regularly:

• Add new tests for new features.
• Remove tests that are no longer needed.

6. Review Past Bugs:

• Look at bugs from previous builds and write tests to catch these in future.
• Focus on areas where past issues were found.

7. Document Results:

• Record the results of each test run.
• Keep track of any issues found for future reference.

By following this checklist, you can ensure your Build Verification Testing is efficient and effective, helping you catch significant issues early and deliver reliable software.

Conclusion

Build Verification Testing is a crucial step in the software testing process. It helps ensure that the main features of your software are working as expected and that new changes have not caused any major issues. By following a well-structured checklist, you can keep your testing process organized and efficient. Always remember to automate repetitive tasks, update your tests regularly, and review past bugs to improve future builds. With a strong focus on BVT, you can catch significant issues early and deliver high-quality, reliable software to your users.

Frequently Asked Questions

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